By Mark McNeill

ACFL Div 2: Shamrocks 0-14 Annaclone 0-17

Annaclone got their promotion campaign back on course with a hard fought win over Newry Shamrocks in the new Pairc Esler on Friday night. There were enforced changes to the side that started against Rostrevor, with Dan McCusker, Brian McGivern and Paul Byrne all unavailable for various reasons, but the players that came in all played well to muscle into the managers reckoning. Gerald Fegan opened the scoring on the night and also broke a high ball down to Martin Farrell for his first score of the game. Aidan Fegan grabbed two frees either side of two points for the home side to keep Annaclone’s noses in front but Shamrocks kept coming back to level it. Annaclone stepped up a gear with 3 unanswered scores from Sean Byrne, on his first start, Gerald Fegan and Colm Farrell. Martin Farrell grabbed another between two for the Newry side and the ‘clone finished the half strongly with four unanswered points. Gerald Fegan grabbed the first with a fine long range point, then Martin Farrell grabbed two more and Aidan Fegan finished it off with a left footed point just at half way, to leave Annaclone 12 points to 6 up.
Shamrocks came out strong in the second half, with DJ Kane leading from full forward, and took two points early on. Aidan and Colm Fegan replied with frees and Brendan McArdle added another fine a fine solo score. By this stage Annaclone had settled again, Gary McArdle had got to grips with DJ and the Newry side were feeding of scraps, but they still managed another two points. Aidan stepped up with another free to put six between them again but the Shamrocks were starting to get on top and were making goal chances. Three times Paddy Byrne was called into action and kept Annaclone ahead with one exceptional save towards the end with four points between the teams at the time. Annaclone’s defence threw themselves at everything and held on for a well fought victory.
Paddy Byrne was unbeatable on the night, and so too were Gary McArdle and Conor McConville at the back, both taking turns at keeping DJ Kane out of the game. Colm Farrell and Brendan McArdle played well against a physical Shamrocks pairing and both got important scores. Up front Gerald Fegan and Martin Farrell played well especially in the first half, while Aidan Fegan showed his value to the team once again with a total of six points, all at important times.
Annaclone have on league game remaining and still need to win to be sure of the play-off place, but there is definite improvement at this the business end of the season, which will please the management and supporters alike.
Team: P Byrne, N Higgins, G McArdle, E McGivern, C McConville, P McColgan, T Pyers, C Farrell (0-1), B McArdle (0-1), C Fegan (0-1), A Fegan (0-6), G Byrne, Sean Byrne (0-1), G Fegan (0-3) and M Farrell (0-4). Subs: O Pyers for SB, S Pyers for C Fegan, B Fegan for EMG, J Fegan, B McGivern, K McNeill and S Quinn.